Lovino x Reader: Love in a Thick Red Liquid 2

~Three Years Later~

Her picture…I carried it with me everywhere, the memories still haunted me, and those few days in the hospital hadn't helped.

"Fratello, can you carry that box into the freezer, I have to finish this batch of pasta?"

"Sure, whatever."

Picking up the box, I carried it back into the freezer, holding myself still as the cold permeated my brain and woke me just enough to get back to work.

"Three years…it's only been three years…I miss her."

I heard the bell to the restaurant ding and wanted to hit Feliciano for not putting up the closed sign.

"I'm sorry, we're closed miss."

"Oh, no, I was actually sent here for a job opportunity."

"Oh? By who?"

"Umm…I think he said his name was Antonio…I can't really remember his last name."

"Was he Spanish?"

"Sì, he was."

"Ah, then of course, please, let me lead you to the back office, mio fratello will be with you in a second."

"Grazie sir."

"Oh, please, call me Feliciano."

"Feliciano."

I could just imagine the stupid smile Feli had on his face, and then he came bounding into the freezer, staring at me cautiously before giving a worried look back toward our office.

"Antonio must know something about her; he wouldn't send her to us unless he did."

"Who in the hell does he think he is? This is our place, not his stupid fucking café!"

"She speaks Italian, fratello, and she looks…."

"Molto bella, Sì, I know exactly what you are going to say."

"Well, yes, she does…but she looks like…she's an exact copy of (Name)."

My head shot up and I had to stare carefully at Feliciano, measuring his body language before I realized he was telling the truth.

"No…you can't be serious."

"I am, she's looking for a job, and I think Antonio knew from the beginning that she could be good for us."

"Good?! If the new girl looks like…looks like 'her' then how am I supposed to work?!"

"Lovino…please…just give her a chance, she may do us both some good…especially you."

"One chance, she messes up once and I'm kicking her out of here!"

"Grazie Lovino."

"Whatever."

I walked into the office and threw a towel over my shoulder, staring down at her before tears threatened and I hated it. She stood and smiled at me, holding out a hand.

"My name is (Full name), I was sent here by a college of yours I think."

"Antonio is an idiot, but, you look like you can handle some hard work. Lovino Vargas, my brother and I own this restaurant."

"I could tell, and thank you for meeting with me on such short notice, Mr. Vargas."

"No problem, tell me what you can do."

She began to explain about past jobs and her small hobbies, and as her eyes scanned the room quickly, she also took note of the high school diploma sitting in the back.

"You came from Heta-High?"

"Sì, you know of it?"

"My mother's friend had a daughter who died in the massacre there. We share the same first name, but are only lucky enough to be of the same last name as well."

"You didn't attend?"

"No, my mother was afraid, I was put into a private school a few miles away, I just wished that I could have met the girl I was named after."

"How old were you when it happened?"

"Thirteen."

"I was a senior…my friend and the girl I wanted to ask out died that day."

"Oh…I'm so sorry, Mr. Vargas."

She stood and came to my side of the desk, dropping to her knees and taking both of my hands into her small ones.

"Please, if there is anything I can do to help you out, just ask me and I will try my best to do it. I understand when someone needs to be left alone, but your eyes scream of loneliness already, even with your brother here. Don't push me away, please?"

I stared into those (e/c) orbs and finally took in the tied back, (h/c) hair. She really was a carbon copy of the old one, she looked just like her…and acted just like her.

"Can I ask one thing?"

"Um…sure."

"Do you want to go out with me sometime?"

"Is it the only way I'm getting the job?"

"Yep."

"Then sure, if it's with a guy like you, I would love to."

"Leave your address on a sticky note, I'll pick you up tomorrow night at six."

"When do I start?"

"We will discuss that at the date."

"We better, I need the money, and I want you as well."

For once, I actually smiled, the cold in my heart melted in those warm (e/c) eyes of hers and I felt like my life could take off again. Maybe the original death had been a bad thing, but the rebirth had been even more beautiful than I expected. I would never forget the first, but the second would keep me living.


Ti amo mia bella donna, ti amo così tanto.